Arrangement and method for connecting fence sections

ABSTRACT

A fence includes an upright post and one or more rails radiating from the post. An arrangement for connecting the post to the rail or rails includes a carrier that can be mounted on the post and one or more holders for the rail or rails. Each holder is attached to the carrier by a hinge that allows the respective holder to pivot or rotate relative to the carrier in two different planes. An accessory bracket for flexible rails and a gate hinge may also be connected to the carrier.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.11/559,498, filed on Nov. 14, 2006, which was based on ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/750,108, filed on Dec. 14, 2005; thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.11/804,833, filed on May 21, 2007, which was based on ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/835,203, filed on Aug. 3, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting two or moresections of a barrier to one another.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A popular type of fence comprises spaced, upright posts that areanchored in the ground and horizontal or approximately horizontal railsrunning between the posts. Fencing material that is typically in theform of wire mesh depends from the rails.

At or near the upper end of each post is a connector that fits aroundthe post, and each connector includes a number of tubular stubs equal tothe number of rails that radiate from the respective posts. Each tubularstub receives and supports an end of a respective rail. The connectorsare rigid units that can rotate on the posts but allow no adjustment tothe terrain.

A connector that has become known recently comprises a support that fitsaround a post and a tubular stub pivotal on the support. When thesupport sits on a post, the tubular stub is pivotal in a vertical plane.This connector is of limited utility since it contains only one tubularstub that is pivotal in a single plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention resides in an arrangement for connectingsections of a barrier to one another. The arrangement comprises a firstsupport to be held by a first component of the barrier, a second supportto hold a second component of the barrier, and means for connecting thefirst support and the second support to one another such that the firstsupport and the second support are relatively pivotal or rotatable intwo different planes.

The first support can be provided with a passage for the first componentof the barrier, and a pair of ribs defining a gap can be disposed in thepassage. The connecting means may include a joining member having aguiding section receivable in the gap with clearance so that the guidingsection is movable back-and-forth in the gap from one of the ribs to theother to thereby allow relative rotation of the first support and thesecond support in one of the planes.

The first support can further be provided with a window, and the joiningmember may include a joining section designed to project through thewindow when the guiding section is in the gap between the ribs. Thejoining section has a joining element for pivotally connecting thejoining section to the second support such that the first support andthe second support are relatively rotatable in the other of the planes.

The first support can have a curved first surface portion that boundsthe gap between the ribs, and the guiding section may be provided with asecond surface portion having substantially the same curvature as thefirst surface portion. In a preferred form of the joining member, theguiding section is curved and the joining section projects from theguiding section.

The second support can be provided with a passage for the secondcomponent of the barrier, and the second support can also be providedwith a gap. The joining section is receivable in this gap, and thesecond support has a joining element for pivotally connecting the secondsupport to the joining section such that the first support and thesecond support are relatively rotatable in the last-mentioned plane. Apair of parallel walls located in the passage of the second support cancooperate to define the gap in the second support.

The second support has an end designed to face the first support andthis end is preferably convex.

The joining member can be provided with a connecting element for fixingthe joining member to a surface.

Another aspect of the invention resides in a barrier that comprises anelongated first component, an elongated second component transverse tothe first component, and means holding the second component on the firstcomponent so that the second component is carried by the firstcomponent. The holding means includes an arrangement as set forth abovefor connecting sections of a barrier to one another.

An additional aspect of the invention resides in a method of connectingsections of a barrier to one another. The method comprises the steps ofproviding holding means having a first support and a second support,fixing the first support to a first component of the barrier, and fixingthe second support to a second component of the barrier. The methodfurther comprises the step of rotating the first support and the secondsupport relative to one another in two different planes.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcomingfrom the following detailed description of certain preferred embodimentswhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement in accordance with theinvention for connecting sections of a barrier to one another withcomponents of the barrier shown fragmentarily.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier forming part of thearrangement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a holder constituting part of thearrangement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hinge forming part of the arrangementof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder as seenfrom one end of the holder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 5 as seen from anopposite end of the holder.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the carrier.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 7 joined to theholder of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the carrier.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 9 joined to threeof the holders of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the carrier.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 11 joined to fourof the holders of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hinge.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bracket holding a flexible flat railcoupled to a carrier of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective, exploded view of the two equal partsconstituting the bracket of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates the tongue extending from a carrier for attachmentto the bracket of FIG. 15 according to the invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a swivel carrier according to theinvention for coupling a gate to the post of an adjacent fence section.

FIG. 18 shows the swivel carrier of FIG. 17 aligned with a fence-railholder according to the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a gate hung to a post using the swivel carrier ofFIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The heart of the invention lies in a connector featuring two supportmembers that are rotatable relative to one another in two differentplanes. Copending Ser. No. 11/559,498 describes an embodiment of theinvention wherein the support members consist of connectors forattachment of fence rails to vertical posts of various configurations.The present invention is directed to a connector specifically designedfor attachment of tubular rails to tubular posts, preferably made of thesame stock material. Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 identifies anarrangement according to the invention for connecting sections of abarrier to one another. The barrier is here assumed to be a fence of thetype having posts or anchoring members that are spaced from each other,rails or bridging members running between the posts and, optionally,fencing material in the form of wire mesh depending from the rails. Theposts will typically be anchored in the ground. In flat terrain, theposts will normally be upright or generally vertical while the railswill be generally horizontal.

The numeral 12 denotes a post or first component of the fence, thenumerals 14 and 16 denote rails or second components of the fence andthe numeral 18 denotes schematically fencing material in the form ofwire mesh depending from the rails 14. The post 12 and the bridgingmembers 14,16 are here in the form of tubes having annular transversecross sections. The rail 14 and the fencing material 18 dependingtherefrom constitute, or constitute part of, one section of the fencewhile the rail 16 and the fencing material 18 depending therefromconstitute, or constitute part of, another section of the fence.

The connecting arrangement 10, which will be referred to as a connectorin this description, comprises a carrier or first support 20 and twoholders or second supports 22 and 24 mounted on the carrier 20. Thecarrier 20 fits around and is secured to the post 12, the holder 22receives and is secured to an end of the rail 14, and the holder 24receives and is secured to an end of the rail 16.

Turning to FIG. 2, the carrier 20 includes a tube 26 that is of circulartransverse cross section and defines a carrier passage 28 running thelength of the tube 26. A set of ribs 30 and a set of ribs 32 are affixedto the internal peripheral surface of the tube 26, and the ribs 30,32run axially of the tube 26 along the length of the tube 26. In theillustrated embodiment, the number of ribs 30 is the same as the numberof ribs 32, and each of the ribs 30 is located diametrically opposite arespective rib 32. Neighboring ribs 30 are spaced from one anothercircumferentially of the tube 26 by relatively small gaps as areneighboring ribs 32. A larger circumferential gap 34 free of ribs runsalong the inner peripheral surface of the tube 26 between the set ofribs 30 and the set of ribs 32 at two diametrically opposite locationsof the tube 26. The two larger circumferential gaps 34, which arecurved, define respective arcs of the same arc length.

The tube 26 is provided with a window or cutout 36 in one of the largercircumferential gaps 34 and with a window or cutout 38 in the other ofthe larger circumferential gaps 34. The windows 36,38 are centeredlongitudinally of the tube 26 and are also centered relative to therespective larger circumferential gaps 34. The windows 36,38 are hereapproximately square or rectangular.

As shown in FIG. 1, a protrusion 40 is formed at one end of the tube 26and has an end surface that faces away from the tube 26. A threadedopening 42 extends from this end surface to the internal peripheralsurface of the tube 26, and the threaded opening 42 functions to receivea setscrew or fastening element 44 for fixing the carrier 20 to the post12.

FIG. 3 illustrates the holder 22 that will be described with referenceto this FIGURE. The description of the holder 22 also applies to theholder 24 inasmuch as the holders 22,24 are identical.

The holder 22 comprises a tubular part 46 of annular transverse crosssection and a tubular part 48 that, in plan view, resembles a rectanglewith rounded longitudinal ends. For simplicity, the tubular part 46 willbe denoted the annular tubular part and the tubular part 48 will bedenoted the rectangular tubular part.

The rectangular tubular part 48 includes two flat, elongated sidewalls50 and 52 that are spaced from one another by a distance smaller thanthe inner diameter of the annular tubular part 46. The sidewall 50 has alongitudinal edge that adjoins the annular tubular part 46, and an endsurface 56 of the annular tubular part 46 is fast with such longitudinaledge and is located on the side of the sidewall 50 remote from the sidewall 52. The sidewall 52 likewise has a longitudinal edge that adjoinsthe annular tubular part 46, and a non-illustrated end surface of theannular tubular part 46 is fast with this longitudinal edge and issituated on the side of the side wall 52 remote from the side wall 50.The end surface 56 and non-illustrated end surface of the annulartubular part 46 are located in a common plane.

The rectangular tubular part 48 further includes two curved end walls 58and 60 having an inner radius equal to the inner radius of the annulartubular part 46 and an outer radius equal to the outer radius of theannular tubular part 46. The end walls 58,60, which are flush with theperipheral wall of the annular tubular part 46 and can be considered toconstitute extensions of such peripheral wall, are disposed atdiametrically opposite locations of the annular tubular part 46. The twoend walls 58,60 have the same length as considered circumferentially ofthe annular tubular part 46, and this length is a minor fraction of thecircumference of the annular tubular part 46.

The end wall 58 has two ends as considered circumferentially of theannular tubular part 46, and each of the side walls 50,52 has alongitudinal end which is fast with a respective circumferential end ofthe end wall 58. Similarly, the end wall 60 has two ends as consideredcircumferentially of the annular tubular part 46, and each of the sidewalls 50,52 has a second longitudinal end which is fast with arespective circumferential end of the end wall 60.

The holder 22 is provided with a holder passage 64 having a portion ofsmaller cross-sectional area in the rectangular tubular part 48 and aportion of larger cross-sectional area in the annular tubular part 46. Anon-illustrated dividing wall having a diameter equal to the innerdiameter of the annular tubular part 46 is located in the holder passage64 and separates the smaller holder passage portion from the largerportion. Non-illustrated ribs extending in axial direction of theannular tubular part 46 can be formed on the internal peripheral surfaceof the annular tubular part 46 and can run from the dividing wall to theend of the annular tubular part 46 remote from the rectangular tubularpart 48.

Two flat partitions or walls 66 and 68 are disposed in the smallerholder passage portion, and the partitions 66,68 are parallel to thesidewalls 50,52 and bridge the end walls 58,60. The partitions 66,68 arespaced from one another and define a gap 70 that constitutes orresembles a slot.

The partition 66, which is disposed next to the sidewall 50, isseparated from the latter by a space, and two parallel reinforcingstrips 72 are located in this space. The reinforcing strips 72 areperpendicular to and bridge the sidewall 50 and the partition 66. Thereinforcing strips 72 are spaced from each other and cooperate with thesidewall 50 and the partition 66 to form a chamber 74 that is centeredbetween the end walls 58,60.

The partition 68, which is situated next to the sidewall 52, isseparated from the latter by a space, and two parallel reinforcingstrips 76 are disposed in such space. The reinforcing strips 76 areperpendicular to and bridge the sidewall 52 and the partition 68. Thereinforcing strips 76 are spaced from one another and cooperate with thesidewall 52 and the partition 68 to form a chamber 78 that is centeredbetween the end walls 58,60.

Each of the side walls 50,52 is formed with an opening or joiningelement 80 which is in line with the chambers 74,78 of the rectangulartubular part 48. Each of the partitions 66,68 is likewise provided withan opening or joining element 82 (only one visible in the drawings) thatis in line with the chambers 74,78. The openings 80,82 are in registerwith one another.

Each of the sidewalls 50,52 has a convex edge 84 facing away from theannular tubular part 46. In a similar vein, each of the partitions 66,68has a convex edge 86 facing away from the annular tubular part 46. Theconvex edges 84,86 lie on a common circular surface.

Considering FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 3, two protrusions 88 areformed at diametrically opposite locations of the annular tubular part46 in the region of the end of the annular tubular part 46 remote fromthe rectangular tubular part 48. Each of the protrusions 88 has an endsurface that faces away from the annular tubular part 46, and a threadedopening 90 extends from each of these end surfaces to the internalperipheral surface of the annular tubular part 46. The threaded openings90 function to receive setscrews or fastening elements 92 for fixing theholder 22 to the associated rail 14.

Turning to FIG. 4, the numeral 94 identifies a hinge or joining member.The hinge 94 comprises a guiding or bearing section 96 in the form of acurved plate, and the curved plate 96 defines an arc having oppositeends 98 and 100. A cutout 102 in the curved plate 96 extends from theend 98 partway to the end 100, and the portion of the curved plate 96with the cutout 102 is divided into two legs or segments 104 and 106 bythe cutout 102.

The cutout 102 has an end remote from the end 98 of the arc defined bythe curved plate 96. A generally flat tongue or joining section 108projects from the curved plate 96 at this end of the cutout 102, and thetongue 108 defines a plane that is transverse to the curved plate 96.The tongue 108, which is provided with an opening or joining element110, is designed to extend through the windows 36,38 of the carrier 20with clearance so that the tongue 108 can pivot or rotate in the windows36,38. The tongue 108 is further designed to be received in the slot 70of the holder 22.

The curved plate 96 has a convex surface 112, and the tongue 108projects to the side of the curved plate 96 with the convex surface 112.When the tongue 108 is passed through a window 36,38 of the carrier 20from the carrier passage 22, the curved plate 96 enters one of thelarger circumferential gaps 34 of the carrier 20 with the convex surface112 facing the inner peripheral surface of the carrier 20.

In use, the tongue 108 is positioned so that the plane of the tongue 108is parallel to the ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20. The end 98 of the arcdefined by the curved plate 96 then faces one of the ribs 30,32adjoining the larger circumferential gap 34 which is to receive thecurved plate 96 while the end 100 of the arc faces the other of theseribs 30,32. With the hinge 94 oriented in this manner, the contour ofthe convex surface 112 of the curved plate 96 conforms to the contour ofthe inner peripheral surface of the carrier 20 thereby allowing theconvex surface 112 to be placed flush against such inner peripheralsurface. Furthermore, the length of the arc defined by the curved plate96 is less than the length of the arcs defined by the largercircumferential gaps 34, and the hinge 94 is accordingly free to pivotor rotate in circumferential direction of the carrier 20.

One manner of operation of the connector 10 is as follows:

The hinge 94 is inserted in the passage 22 of the carrier 20, and thetongue 108 is passed through one of the windows 36,38 of the carrier 20.The tongue 108 is oriented so that the plane of the tongue is parallelto the ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20.

The holder 22 is positioned with the slot 70 facing and in register withthe tongue 108. The carrier 20 and holder 22 are relatively shiftedtowards each other to cause the tongue 108 to enter the slot 70. Thetongue 108 is positioned in the slot 70 such that the opening 110 in thetongue 108 is aligned with the openings 80 in the sidewalls 50,52 of theholder 22 and the openings 82 in the partitions 66,68 of the holder 22.A bolt 114 having a head, and being discernible in FIG. 1 by virtue ofthis head, is thereupon inserted in the openings 80,82,110. The bolt 114has a non-illustrated, threaded end opposite its head, and anon-illustrated nut is screwed onto the threaded end of the bolt to jointhe carrier 20 and the holder 22 to one another.

In order to prevent the non-illustrated dividing wall internally of theholder 22 from interfering with the tongue 108, the dividing wall may beprovided with a slot-like aperture extending in a direction from the endwall 58 to the end wall 60 of the holder 22. The aperture is centeredbetween the end walls 58,60 and is in register with the slot 70 of theholder 22. The length of the aperture is here a minor fraction of thedistance between the end walls 58,60, i.e., a minor fraction of theinner diameter of the annular tubular part 46 of the holder 22, and theaperture coincides with the portion of the slot 70 between the chambers74,78 of the holder 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the carrier 20 and the holder 22 arejoined to each other, the convex edges 84 of the side walls 50,52 of theholder 22, as well as the convex edges 86 of the partitions 66,68 of theholder 22, face the outer peripheral surface of the carrier 20. On theother hand, the larger portion of the holder passage 64 in the holder 22faces away from the carrier 20.

The bolt 114 connecting the carrier 20 and the holder 22 to each otherconstitutes a pivot that allows the carrier 20 and the holder 22 toundergo relative pivotal or rotational movement in a plane parallel tothe ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20.

As mentioned earlier, the hinge 94 can pivot or rotate incircumferential direction of the carrier 20 when the tongue 108 of thehinge 94 extends through one of the windows 36,38 of the carrier 20 andthe tongue 108 is oriented so that the plane of the tongue 108 isparallel to the ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20. This enables the carrier20 and the holder 22 to undergo relative pivotal or rotational movementin a plane perpendicular to the ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20. Hence, thecarrier 20 and the holder 22 are relatively pivotal or rotatable in twomutually perpendicular planes.

Relative pivotal or rotational movement of the carrier 20 and the holder22 in a plane perpendicular to the ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20 makes itpossible for a fence to bend or curve in order to follow a road orproperty line that winds. In contrast, relative pivotal or rotationalmovement of the carrier 20 and the holder 22 in a plane parallel to theribs 30,32 enables a fence to adjust to changes in elevation.

By way of example, the carrier 20 and the hinge 94 can be designed topermit relative pivotal or rotational movement of the carrier 20 and theholder 22 through an angle of 12.5 degrees in a plane perpendicular tothe ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20. On the other hand, the carrier 20, theholder 22 and the hinge 94 can be designed to allow relative pivotal orrotational movement of the carrier 20 and the holder 22 through an angleof 25 degrees in a plane parallel to the ribs 30,32.

The holder 24 is attached to the carrier 20 in the manner describedabove for the holder 22. Attachment of the holder 24 to the carrier 20is accomplished using the window 36 or 38 of the carrier 20 and thetongue 108.

With reference to FIG. 1, once the holders 22,24 have been joined to thecarrier 20, the carrier 20 is positioned above the post 12 and thepassage 28 in the carrier 20 is brought into register with the post 12.The carrier 20 is now lowered so that the post 12 enters the carrierpassage 28. Once the upper end of the post 12 has passed through thecarrier passage 28, the setscrew 44 is screwed into the threaded opening42 of the carrier 20 to fix the carrier 20 on the post 12.

As indicated previously, an end of the rail 14 is received in the holder22. When the carrier 20 has been secured to the post 12, this end of therail 14 is positioned so that it faces the larger portion of the holderpassage 64 in the holder 22, i.e., the portion of the holder passage 64in the annular tubular part 46 of the holder 22. If the larger holderpassage portion is not aligned with such end of the rail 14, the holder22 is pivoted or rotated relative to the carrier 20 in a planeperpendicular to, and/or in a plane parallel to, the ribs 30,32 of thecarrier 20. Upon alignment of the larger holder passage portion with theadjoining end of the rail 14, this end of the rail 14 is inserted in thelarger holder passage portion. The inserted end of the rail 14 can bebrought to bear against the non-illustrated dividing wall internally ofthe holder 22, and the dividing wall then functions as an abutment forthe inserted end of the rail 14. The setscrews 92 are thereupon screwedinto the threaded openings 90 of the holder 22 to fix the rail 14 to theholder 22. The rail 14 is now mounted on the post 12 for pivotal orrotational movement in two different planes.

It may be necessary to adjust the rail 14 after the latter has beenattached to the holder 22, e.g., in order to affix the opposite end ofthe rail 14 to a second post. This can be accomplished by gripping therail 14 and using the same as a lever to pivot or rotate the holder 22relative to the carrier 20 in a plane perpendicular to, and/or in aplane parallel to, the ribs 30,32 of the carrier 20.

The rail 16 is fixed to the holder 24 in the same way as the rail 14 isfixed to the holder 22.

The setscrews 92 and bolt 114 make it possible to readily replace therail 14 should this be required, e.g., in the event of damage to therail 14. Thus, once the setscrews 92 and bolt 1 14 have been removed,the holder 22 can be separated from the rail 14 relatively simply.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another, preferred embodiment of a holder for arail. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same numerals as in FIG. 3, plus 100, areused to denote similar elements.

In contrast to the holder 22 of FIG. 3, the holder 122 of FIGS. 5 and 6comprises a tube that is of uniform cross section throughout its lengthand defines a holder passage 164 of constant cross-sectional area.

The dividing wall internally of the holder 122 is seen in FIG. 6 and isidentified by the numeral 300. The slot-like aperture in the dividingwall 300 is denoted by 302 and has a length exceeding that of theslot-like aperture in the non-illustrated dividing wall of the holder22. The length of the slot-like aperture 302 is equal to a majorfraction of the inner diameter of the holder 122.

The slot 70 of the holder 22 has a longitudinal end adjacent to the endwall 58 and an opposed longitudinal end adjacent to the end wall 60, andthe two longitudinal ends of the slot 70 are closed by the respectiveend walls 58,60. On the other hand, one of the longitudinal ends of theslot 170 of the holder 122 is open by virtue of a slot-like cutout 304formed in the peripheral wall of the holder 122 in register with theslot 170. The length of the cutout 304 as considered in axial directionof the holder 122 is equal, or approximately equal, to the depth of theslot 170 as considered in such direction.

The axes of the threaded openings 90 which are provided to fix theholder 22 to the rail 14 are perpendicular to the partitions 66,68 ofthe holder 22. In contrast, the axes of the corresponding threadedopenings 190 in the holder 122 are parallel to the partitions 166,168 ofthe holder 122.

Both of the openings 80 which enable the holder 22 to be attached to thetongue 94 are unthreaded and pass through the respective side walls50,52. On the other hand, one of the two corresponding openings of theholder 122 is threaded and does not extend all the way through theperipheral wall of the holder 122. This threaded opening of the holder122, which is identified by the numeral 180 a, makes it possible for athreaded bolt, such as the bolt 114 of FIG. 1, to be screwed into theperipheral wall of the holder 122 and to be held in place without a nut.

As indicated above, the holder 122 has two openings corresponding to thetwo openings 80 of the holder 22, and the second of these correspondingopenings of the holder 122 is denoted by 180 b. While both openings 80of the holder 22 are smaller than the head of the bolt 114 that servesto attach the tongue 94 to the holder 22, the opening 180 b issufficiently large to receive the head of a bolt that is screwed intothe threaded opening 180 a. This allows the head of such a bolt to berecessed in the opening 180 b.

Other than as outlined above, the holder 122 is identical to the holder22.

The carrier 20 of FIG. 2 is designed for attachment to two rails. FIG.7, on the other hand, illustrates a carrier that is attachable to asingle rail only, such as at the end of a fence butting against a wall.Either carrier may be used with either form of holder described herein.In FIG. 7, the same numerals as in FIG. 2, plus 200, are used to denotesimilar elements.

The carrier 220 of FIG. 7 differs from the carrier 20 of FIG. 2 in thatonly one set of ribs is affixed to the internal peripheral surface ofthe tube 226 constituting part of the carrier 220. The set includes arib 230 a that, in clockwise direction, is followed by a plurality ofribs 230 and a terminal rib 230 b. Neighboring ones of the ribs 230 arespaced from one another circumferentially of the tube 226 by relativelysmall gaps and, similarly, each of the ribs 230 a,230 b is spaced fromthe respective neighboring rib 230 circumferentially of the tube 226 bya relatively small circumferential gap. On the other hand, a largercircumferential gap 234 free of ribs runs along the inner peripheralsurface of the tube 226 between the rib 230 b and the rib 230 a.

The tube 226 is provided with a window 236 in the larger circumferentialgap 234. The window 236 is centered longitudinally of the tube 226 andis also centered with respect to the larger circumferential gap 234.

Since the carrier 220 has only a single window 236, only a single holdercan be attached to the carrier 220 at any time. This is illustrated inFIG. 8 where the holder 122 is joined to the carrier 220 by way of thehinge 94. Inasmuch as the carrier 220 is attachable to only one holderat a time, the carrier 220 can be attached to only a single rail at anytime.

In FIG. 8, a bolt connects the hinge 94 to the holder 122. The bolt hasa head 214 that is recessed in the opening 180 b of the holder 122. Alsovisible in FIG. 8 are setscrews 292 in the threaded openings 190 of theholder 122. The setscrews 292 functions to fix the holder 122 to anon-illustrated rail that is received in the holder passage 164 of theholder 122. Another setscrew 294 is seen in the threaded opening 242 ofthe carrier 220, and the setscrew 294 serves to secure the carrier 220to a non-illustrated post on which the carrier 220 is mounted.

An additional embodiment of a carrier is shown in FIG. 9 where the samenumerals as in FIG. 7, plus 100, denote similar elements.

In the carrier 320 of FIG. 9, the internal peripheral surface of thetube 326 forming part of the carrier 320 is provided with a set of ribs330, a rib 332 a and a rib 332 b. Neighboring ones of the ribs 330 arespaced from one another circumferentially of the tube 326 by relativelysmall gaps. On the other hand, a larger circumferential gap 334 free ofribs runs along the inner peripheral surface of the tube 226 between theribs 332 a,332 b and between each of the ribs 332 a,332 b and the rib330 closest thereto.

The tube 326 is provided with a window 336 in each of the three largercircumferential gaps 334. The windows 336 are centered longitudinally ofthe tube 326, and each of the windows 336 is also centered with respectto the respective larger circumferential gap 334.

The three windows 336 make it possible for the carrier 320 to beattached to three holders simultaneously. This is illustrated in FIG. 10where three of the holders 122 are attached to the carrier 320 by way ofthree of the hinges 94. Each of the hinges 94 extends through arespective window 336 of the carrier 320.

In FIG. 10, each of the hinges 94 is connected to the correspondingholder 122 via a bolt having a head 214 that is recessed in the opening180 b of the corresponding holder 122 (only two of the openings 180 band two of the heads 214 can be seen in FIG. 10). Also visible in FIG.10 are the setscrews 292 in respective threaded openings 190 of theholders 122. The setscrews 292 serve to fix each of the holders 122 to arespective non-illustrated rail that is received in the holder passage164 of the associated holder 122. FIG. 10 further shows the setscrew 294that has been inserted in the threaded opening 342 of the carrier 320and functions to secure the carrier 320 to a non-illustrated postsupporting the carrier 320.

A further embodiment of a carrier is shown in FIG. 11 where the samenumerals as in FIG. 9, plus 100, identify similar elements.

The internal peripheral surface of the tube 426 forming part of thecarrier 420 of FIG. 11 is provided with four ribs 432 a, 432 b, 432 cand 432 d that are uniformly distributed circumferentially of the tube426. The rib 432 a is situated between the ribs 432 b and 432 d, and acircumferential gap 434 free of ribs runs along the inner peripheralsurface of the tube 426 between the ribs 432 a,432 b and between theribs 432 a,432 d. Similarly, the rib 432 c is situated between the ribs432 b and 432 d, and a circumferential gap 434 free of ribs runs alongthe inner peripheral surface of the tube 426 between the ribs 432 c,432b and between the ribs 432 c,432 d.

The tube 426 is provided with a window 436 in each of the fourcircumferential gaps 434. The windows 436 are centered longitudinally ofthe tube 426, and each of the windows 436 is also centered with respectto the respective circumferential gap 434.

The four windows 436 enable the carrier 420 to be attached to fourholders concurrently. FIG. 12 shows the carrier 420 attached to four ofthe holders 122 via four of the hinges 94. Each of the hinges 94 passesthrough a respective window 436 of the carrier 420.

In FIG. 12, each of the hinges 94 is connected to the correspondingholder 122 by way of a bolt having a head 214 that is recessed in theopening 180 b of the corresponding holder 122 (only two of the openings180 b and two of the heads 214 can be seen in FIG. 12). Also shown inFIG. 12 are setscrews 292 in respective threaded openings 190 of theholders 122. The setscrews 292 serve to fix each of the holders 122 to arespective non-illustrated rail that is received in the holder passage164 of the associated holder 122.

Another embodiment of the hinge is illustrated in FIG. 13 where the samenumerals as in FIG. 4, plus 100, denote similar elements.

The hinge 194 of FIG. 13 differs from the hinge 94 of FIG. 4 in that anaperture or connecting element 216 is formed in each of the legs 204,206of the hinge 194. The apertures 204,206 make it possible to screw, nailor bolt the hinge 194 to the surface of an object, e.g., a structure ortree, thereby allowing it to connect to a holder at the end of a fencewithout the use of an additional post 12.

It is common in the construction of fences to replace some or all of thetubular rails illustrated in the figures above with a flexible flat rail500, as shown in FIG. 14. The rail 500 has a similar appearance from adistance and is less expensive and more easily manageable than tubularmaterial. Therefore, it is often desirable to use it either inconjunction with, or instead of, heavier and rigid segments of tubularsections. The flat rail 500 is typically mounted on brackets attached tofencing posts or other supports. FIG. 14 illustrates a bracket 502developed as an accessory component to the carriers and supports of thepresent invention.

The bracket 502 consists of two identical parts 504 that, when combined,mate to form a bracket suitable for connection to the tongue 108extending from the carriers of the invention. As seen more particularlyin the exploded view of FIG. 15, each part 504 of the bracket includesan open elongated slot 506 that makes it possible to place the part overthe flat rail 500 so that the rail is housed in the slot. The two parts504 are mounted facing each other and, when connected to one anotherthrough alignment pins 508 and corresponding receiving openings 510,they form an enclosed elongated slot 512 around the rail 500, as seen inFIG. 14. Therefore, the bracket 502 can be used advantageously toreplace a broken bracket in a fence without detaching the rail 500 fromadjacent posts and brackets.

Each part 504 of the bracket 502 includes a hole 514 for coupling to thetongue 108 protruding from a carrier of the invention, such as thesingle-window carrier 220 seen in FIGS. 7 and 16. A threaded bolt 516,passed through the holes 514 and the opening 110 of the tongue, and anut (not shown) are used to clamp the bracket parts together and securethe bracket 502 to a carrier of the invention. The carrier is positionedand fixed to a post 12 using a setscrew as described above.

Flexible rails of the type shown in FIG. 14 are often electrified todeter contact by the horses or other animals confined by the fence. Suchelectrification is implemented either by means of wires 518 incorporatedin the rail 500, such as along the top and bottom edges of the rail, orby separate cables stretched from post to post alongside the rail. Forthe latter application, the bracket 502 of the invention may alsofeature rounded slots 520 suitable for receiving such cables. As in thecase of the elongated slot 512, the rounded slots 520 are formed bymating complementary slot sections 522 in each of the bracket parts 504.

Another accessory component for the system of the invention is a swivelcarrier for a gate. As illustrated in FIG. 17, such a swivel carrier 600consists of a tubular sleeve 602, adapted for rotatable connection withthe tubular posts 12 of the invention, and a rail support 604 rigidlyattached to the sleeve. Like the holders 22,24 described above, thesupport 604 is designed to receive and secure the end of a tubular railcomponent of a gate. According to the invention, the support 604 isattached to the sleeve 602 by means of a bracket 606 that places thesupport 604 above the top rim 608 of the sleeve 602. This configurationmakes it possible to add a carrier 220 and a holder 122 (as seen in FIG.8) opposite to, and at the same height of, the support 604, asillustrated in FIG. 18. A collar 610 is secured with a setscrew 612 atthe desired height along the length of the post 12 to retain the swivelcarrier 600 in line with the abutting segment of fence rail, so that therail component 614 of a gate is aligned with the fence rail 16, asillustrated in FIG. 19.

Thus, the swivel carrier 600 of the invention may be used with the othercomponents of the system to create a series of gate hinges (as necessaryto support the gate of interest) using the same post planted to supportthe adjacent segment of fence. As illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 19,the rotatable connection of each swivel carrier 600 with the post 12allows a gate 520 to swivel freely around the post, thereby providing aneffective coupling mechanism. Moreover, the configuration of the swivelcarrier 600 produces a fence/gate combination of similar geometry, whichis aesthetically pleasing and desirable.

Various modifications are possible within the meaning and range ofequivalence of the appended claims.

1. An arrangement for connecting sections of a barrier to one anothercomprising: a first support to be held by a first component of thebarrier; a second support to hold a second component of the barrier; andmeans for connecting said first support and said second support to oneanother such that said first support and said second support arerelatively rotatable in two different planes.
 2. The arrangement ofclaim 1, wherein said first support is provided with a passage for thefirst component of the barrier, said first support further beingprovided with a window in said passage, said connecting means includinga joining member having a guiding section receivable in said passagewith clearance so that said guiding section is movable back-and-forthwithin the window in said passage to thereby allow relative rotation ofsaid first support and said second support in one of said planes.
 3. Thearrangement of claim 2, wherein said joining member includes a joiningsection designed to project through said window when said guidingsection is in said passage, said joining section having a joiningelement for pivotally connecting said joining section to said secondsupport such that said first support and said second support arerelatively rotatable in the other of said planes.
 4. The arrangement ofclaim 2, wherein said first support is provided with a curved firstsurface portion and said guiding section is provided with a secondsurface portion having substantially the same curvature as said firstsurface portion.
 5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said secondsupport is provided with a passage for the second component of thebarrier, said second support further being provided with a gap, and saidconnecting means including a joining member having a joining sectionreceivable in said gap, said second support and said joining sectionbeing provided with respective joining elements for pivotally connectingsaid joining section to said second support such that said first supportand said second support are relatively rotatable in one of said planes.6. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein said second support comprises apair of substantially parallel walls in said passage defining said gap.7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said second support has an enddesigned to face said first support, said end being convex.
 8. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises ajoining member having a curved section receivable by said first supportfor rotation relative to said first support in one of said planes, saidjoining member further having another section that projects from saidcurved section and is receivable by said second support such that saidsecond support is rotatable relative to said another section in theother of said planes.
 9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein saidjoining member is provided with a connecting element for fixing saidjoining member to a surface.
 10. The arrangement of claim 1, furthercomprising: a swivel carrier for a gate member, said carrier beingrotatably engaged with the first component of the barrier under saidfirst support; and a collar attached to said first component of thebarrier for slidably supporting the carrier; wherein the carriercomprises a third support to hold said gate member, and said first andthird supports are substantially aligned.
 11. A barrier comprising: anelongated first component; an elongated second component transverse tosaid first component; and means for holding said second component onsaid first component so that said second component is carried by saidfirst component, said holding means including a first support fixed tosaid first component, a second support fixed to said second componentand means connecting said first support and said second support to oneanother such that said first support and said second support arerelatively rotatable in two different planes.
 12. The barrier of claim11, wherein said first support is provided with a passage that receivessaid first component, said first support further being provided with awindow in said passage, said connecting means including a joining memberhaving a guiding section that is received in said passage with clearanceso that said guiding section is movable back-and-forth within the windowin said passage to thereby allow relative rotation of said first supportand said second support in one of said planes.
 13. The barrier of claim12, wherein said joining member includes a joining section that projectsthrough said window, said joining section being pivotally connected tosaid second support such that said first support and said second supportare relatively rotatable in the other of said planes.
 14. The barrier ofclaim 12, wherein said first support is provided with a curved firstsurface portion and said guiding section is provided with a secondsurface portion having substantially the same curvature as said firstsurface portion, said second surface portion confronting said firstsurface portion.
 15. The barrier of claim 11, wherein said secondsupport is provided with a passage that receives said second component,said second support further being provided with a gap, and saidconnecting means including a joining member having a joining sectionthat extends into said gap, said joining section being pivotallyconnected to said second support such that said first support and saidsecond support are relatively rotatable in one of said planes.
 16. Thebarrier of claim 15, wherein said second support comprises a pair ofsubstantially parallel walls in said passage defining said gap.
 17. Thebarrier of claim 11, wherein said second support has an end that facessaid first support, said end being convex.
 18. The barrier of claim 11,wherein said connecting means comprises a joining member having a curvedsection that is received by said first support for rotation relative tosaid first support in one of said planes, said joining member furtherhaving another section that projects from said curved section and isreceived by said second support such that said second support isrotatable relative to said another section in the other of said planes.19. The barrier of claim 18, wherein said joining member is providedwith a connecting element for fixing said joining member to a surface.20. The barrier of claim 11, further comprising: an elongated thirdcomponent transverse to said first component; and a bracket for holdingsaid third component, said bracket comprising two substantially equalparts with open slots for receiving said third component, such that thethird component is enclosed by said slots when the parts are mated toform the bracket.
 21. A method of connecting sections of a barrier toone another comprising the steps of: providing holding means having afirst support and a second support; fixing said first support to a firstcomponent of said barrier; rotating said first support and said secondsupport relative to one another in two different planes; and fixing saidsecond support to a second component of said barrier.